Question:
Has anyone started their period the day before surgery?

My period is due the day before my surgery. Should I be concerned? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.    — Amy L. (posted on August 20, 2001)


August 20, 2001
Of course I was one of the lucky ones and mine started the day before....lol. There is not much you can do but go with the flow...no pun intended...The Hospital staff were get about it as was the surgical team....Not to sound gross but they let me keep a hospital pad on during surgery (no tampons) and made sure I was kept clean. I know it is a touchy subject and uncomfortable to deal with it....but believe me after surgery, you will not really care about it. Good luck, Karan
   — chance2lv

August 20, 2001
I got my period when I arrived at the hospital on the day of my surgery. I was mortified, but the staff was wonderful. I was not allowed to use tampons, they just put a pad between my legs before the surgery (no undies - gross!). It wouldn't have been my choice to get it then, but it was OK considering. Nothing to worry about. Good Luck.
   — Lisa F.

August 20, 2001
Dear Amy, As an RN I knew that often undergoing anesthesia will affect the adrenal gland and then in turn the hormones that affect your period. All of my patients have started thier periods after surgery .I did and it was like I had so much other stuff to pay attention to it was insignificant. I kow some people would ask for the pills to hold it off but they affect the body ability to clot also. I know it was a pain but I was so happy to be there ......My new life
   — Amy D.

August 20, 2001
Amy, yes, I started my period the day before my surgery. Like the others have said, it was no big deal. They gave me a hospital pad and it really didn't affect anything.
   — Liz G.

August 20, 2001
Hi Amy, I think all the stress and excitement of knowing you are faceing surgery is enough to make your body go into some strange phases. After always haveing irregular periods and never knowing when to expect one, I was completely surprised when the morning I went in for my surgery my old friend decided to make a appearance. I just put in a tampon and really forgot all about it and it was one of the first things I remembered when I was comeing out of the anesthesia. I told the nurses takeing care of me and they checked and it was not there. Apparantly when they put in the catheter before the surgery began they removed it and what happened from it from then on was the very least of my problems. I had a difficult time after surgery and even after going home five days later, I was put back in the hospital in three weeks with a pulmonary embolism. I am much better now, one year later. I have not lost all the wieght I want, I am losing it very slowly however I am pleased with what I have lost and do not regret haveing this surgery. I can eat large amounts of food. This is discouraging and I just don't understand why. I have had my surgeon do a upper GI and he said that everything was in tact and I just needed to watch the total caloric intake and excercise alot. It is still disturbing to me. I wonder has anyone else had this problem? I had a revision surgery from a vertical banded gastroplasty to a open RNY. I wish you luck on your surgery. Don't worry about your period, the nurses will help you if and when you need it. Believe me they are used to such things and just deal with it.
   — Sarah B.




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